Nikola Jokic, Austin Rivers team up to help Nuggets top Nets

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Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone sensed his team would play down to a Brooklyn Nets team that was missing three of their best players, including All-Star guard James Harden.

The Nuggets needed Austin Rivers, who scored 22 of his 25 points in the second half, and Nikola Jokic's 26 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists to beat the Nets 124-118 on Wednesday night.

Denver jumped out to an early 17-8 lead before the Nets shook off their early struggles to trail by one at the end of the first quarter.

"We haven’t played maybe perfect basketball, but we’re winning games," Malone said. "Ultimately that’s all that matters. A lot of the NBA is like winning the games you’re supposed to and that’s no disrespect to a team like Detroit or these Brooklyn Nets — obviously all the guys they have out."

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Denver Nuggets guard Austin Rivers reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2022, in New York. The Nuggets won 124-118. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Aside from Harden, who had the night off to rest an ailing left hamstring after playing 38 minutes in Tuesday’s loss against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Nets are without Kevin Durant (sprained left knee ligament) and Kyrie Irving (vaccination status).

Rookie Cam Thomas scored 25 points and Patty Mills added 21 for Brooklyn, who have lost three consecutive games.

"Just not enough against a very good team," Nets coach Steve Nash said. "We played well for long stretches, but probably didn’t take care of enough details to close it out."

The Nets are now 6-10 in January after going